Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has confirmed that Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka is ‘upset’ with his current status at the club.
The 29-year-old featured in 42 matches for Bayern across all competitions last season, but he has received less than 10 minutes of game time during the first four fixtures of the current campaign.
Goretzka’s reduced role is in part a consequence of Bayern signing Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham this summer.
Twenty-year-old Aleksandar Pavlovic has also emerged as a strong option in Goretzka’s position, while versatile star man Joshua Kimmich is now being used more in midfield, rather than in defence.
Discussing Goretzka’s situation, Eberl said this week: ‘We communicated very clearly from the start.
Leon Goretzka, 29, has spent a lot of time on the Bayern Munich bench so far this season
Goretzka (second from the right) has only got onto the pitch once – as an 89th-minute sub
New Bayern manager Vincent Kompany prefers other players in the centre of his midfield
‘Leon knew that we were relying on Pavlo, and that we would bring in with Palhinha and that Josh would play more in the centre again.’
Eberl added: ‘We’ve also said that when Leon is there and ready to face the situation, he’ll be treated completely normally.
‘Leon’s a great guy. I like him a lot, even though he’s obviously upset at the moment. I understand that too. But that’s part of life in football.’
Goretzka is under contract with Bayern until June 2026 but he could well leave Munich before then.
According to The Sun, Manchester United and West Ham are long-term admirers of Goretzka and news of his unhappiness has put the Premier League duo on alert.
Kompany pictured speaking to Goretzka during Bayern’s 2-0 win over Freiburg on September 1
Man United boss Erik ten Hag could be interested in Goretzka during the next transfer window
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is reportedly also keen on the Germany international
Goretzka’s decline at Bayern came after Vincent Kompany was hired as the club’s new head coach in May.
Kompany made an example of Goretzka during a pre-season training session in July.
A video went viral on social media showing Kompany halting a drill immediately after Goretzka had given away possession with a weak pass.
Goretzka joined Bayern from Schalke in July 2018. He has since made more than 200 first-team appearances and netted 40 goals.
He has won 13 trophies with Bayern, including five Bundesliga titles, as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2020.
